Prosthetic valve for transluminal delivery

Abstract

A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchors may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. Portions of the valve support may expand to a preset diameter to maintain coaptivity of the replacement valve and to prevent occlusion of the coronary ostia. A radial restraint, comprising a wire, thread or cuff, may be used to ensure expansion does not exceed the preset diameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A prosthetic valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve having a plurality of leaflets and commissure points; and 
 a valve support including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone being formed of a radially repeating shape of a first size and the second zone being formed of a radially repeating shape of a second size, 
 wherein the shape of the first size is smaller than the shape of the second size such that the radial expansion force in the first zone is greater than the radial expansion force in the second zone, and 
 wherein the valve longitudinally spans the first zone and the second zone. 
 
     
     
       2. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the radially repeating shape is a diamond-shaped mesh. 
     
     
       3. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve support is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery. 
     
     
       4. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the valve support is self-expanding. 
     
     
       5. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second zone is an anchor configured to engage the vessel wall bordering an existing cardiac ring. 
     
     
       6. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the diameter of the second zone is greater than the diameter of the first zone. 
     
     
       7. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the commissure attachment holes are provided in the first zone proximal to the second zone. 
     
     
       8. A prosthetic valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve having a plurality of leaflets and commissure points; and 
 a valve support including a first zone with a first radial expansion force and a second zone with a second radial expansion force less than the first radial expansion force; 
 wherein longitudinally spans the first zone and the second zone wherein the diameter of the second zone is configured to be larger than the diameter of the first zone. 
 
     
     
       9. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the valve support is configured to be collapsible for trans luminal delivery. 
     
     
       10. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the valve support is self-expanding. 
     
     
       11. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the valve support further comprises a valve support member including a valve support member thickness, the valve support member thickness being the difference between an inner radius and an outer radius of the valve support member;
 wherein the valve support member thickness in the first zone is greater than the valve support member thickness in the second zone to provide a greater radial expansion force. 
 
     
     
       12. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the first zone of the valve support is configured to expand against leaflets of a deficient native valve; and
 wherein the valve support is configured to contact the leaflets of the deficient native valve at a first position in the first zone of the valve support. 
 
     
     
       13. The prosthetic valve assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the radial expansion force of the valve support is greatest at the first position.